'I lived a double life': Vas J Morgan reveals he came out as gay on TOWIE BEFORE telling his family and then switched his phone off for a week
Vas J Morgan has revealed he came out as gay on The Only Way Is Essex before telling his family.
The reality star, 31, said he had lead a 'double life' away from his home and that his family only learned the truth about his sexuality when they watched it on the ITVBe show.
Speaking to Ella Eyre on ‘The Truth Flirts’ YouTube series, Vas admitted that he was so terrified of his family's reaction, that he switched off his mobile phone 'for a week' after the episode of TOWIE aired.
Revelations: Vas J Morgan has revealed he came out as gay on The Only Way Is Essex before telling his family
Vas, who recently launched his I Am Enough campaign, revealed he was gay on the show in 2015, after he attempted to kiss pal Jasmin Walia amid confusion about his sexuality.
He later broke down and confided in friend Lauren Pope, where he admitted he thought he was bisexual.
However, while his friends were aware he was gay before the episode aired, he had failed to tell the truth to his family.
He explained: 'I did it on screen, on ‘TOWIE’, and I hadn’t spoken to my family about it, prior to that episode going out. So I just came out to everyone basically at the same time, and then I just switched my phone off for a week.'
Airing the truth: The reality star, 31, revealed he had lead a 'double life' away from his home and that his family only learned the truth about his sexuality when they watched it on the ITVBe show (pictured on TOWIE in 2016)
Vas, who recognises himself as a gay man, went on to say that outside his family home, he was living a 'double life', and was so openly about his sexuality with his pals that he 'forgot' it was a big deal to his relatives.
He continued: 'My friends all knew, but I lived such a double life at home and outside of my house, so I forgot that it was a big deal until the episode went out, and my family watched the episode and I was like, "Oh yeah I forgot it was a big deal".
'I sort of went through it again, it was very difficult … I think they just had a lot of conversations internally, amongst themselves, and then it was OK.'
Kept quiet: Speaking to Ella Eyre on ‘The Truth Flirts’ YouTube series, Vas admitted that he was so terrified of his family's reaction, that he switched off his mobile phone 'for a week' after the episode of TOWIE aired
Truth: Vas, who recently launched his I Am Enough campaign, revealed he was gay on the show in 2015, after he attempted to kiss pal Jasmin Walia amid confusion about his sexuality
The activist is now helping others in the same situation and advised them to come out only when the time is right for themselves.
He said: 'There’s no rush. It’s your own journey, just live your life as you and be happy and know that you’re loved.'
Vas' episode of The Truth Flirts goes live on Badoo’s YouTube channel this Sunday 10th October, coinciding with National Coming Out Day.
Vas' words come a month after he teamed up with a collection of stars to raise mental health awareness in the black community.
Confidant: He later broke down and confided in friend Lauren Pope, where he admitted he thought he was bisexual. His family were not aware of his sexuality before the episode aired (pictured with Lauren in 2014)
The former TOWIE star joined the likes of Jodie Turner-Smith, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Sabrina Elba in a powerful video to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
Also taking part in the emotive campaign created by Vas were Ashley Banjo, Rochelle Humes, Winnie Harlow, Evan Ross, Rickey Thompson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Alexandra Burke, Fleur East and Leomie Anderson.
In the powerful footage, the stars all wear a charity T-shirt as they emotionally declare: 'I am enough' and say other messages of empowerment.
Starting the video, Jodie, 34, says: 'I allow myself to be the full expression of who I really am.'
Powerful: Vas' words come a month after he teamed up with a collection of stars to raise mental health awareness in the black community
Leigh-Anne, 28, adds: 'My race is healthy and good.'
With Vas powerfully declaring: 'My sexuality is healthy and good.'
He adds: 'Mental health awareness is very important and it's vital to say it, repeat it, believe it and share it. I am Vas J Morgan and I am enough.'
The end of the video promotes the charity T-shirts, which are available to buy with all proceeds donated to the I Am Enough fund, providing free mental health support for the black community. So far it has raised more than £50,000.
Important: The former TOWIE star joined the likes of Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Sabrina Elba (L-R) in a powerful video to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
Amazing: In the powerful footage, the stars all wear a charity T-shirt as they emotionally declare: 'I am enough' and say other messages of empowerment (Jodie Turner-Smith pictured)